Subtitling for the deaf and the hard of hearing 3200-M1-NDN-D
The aim of the course is to familiarize students with the creation of subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing. During the course, students will learn about the theoretical and practical issues related to the production of subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.
The topics covered include:
- similarities between subtitling for the deaf and hard of hearing and interlingual translation (how translators can use their existing knowledge when creating subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing understood as the translation of sounds and spoken text into written text),
- key information about target audiences (D/deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers: their opinions, needs, and specific characteristics based on surveys and academic publications),
- text condensation techniques in subtitles,
- speaker identification (colors, labels, etc.),
- techniques for describing sounds,
- techniques for describing music,
- techniques for describing emotions and manner of speech,
- foreign languages, dialects, and regional varieties in subtitles,
- subtitling for deaf and hard-of-hearing children,
- technical aspects of subtitle creation (reading speed, minimum duration, intervals),
- subtitling different types of programs,
- correctness (including punctuation and correct rendering of spoken language, spelling and inflection of loanwords and surnames, and the most common punctuation and spelling errors),
- basic information related to the work of a subtitler (pricing, client communication, guidelines),
- evaluation of the usefulness of tools for automatic transcription and automatic subtitle creation.
The course is conducted in a computer lab using professional subtitling software.
Student workload:
- practical classes: 30 hours
- preparation for classes: 10 hours
- subtitle creation: 20 hours
Total: 60 hours
Type of course
Mode
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
KNOWLEDGE:
S1_W01: has in-depth knowledge of key concepts related to Translation Studies and the main trends in contemporary Translation Studies (K_W02, K_W03, K_W05, K_W11)
S1_W02: has in-depth knowledge of translation strategies and techniques used in various types of written and audiovisual texts and in different translation contexts (K_W01, K_W02, K_W03, K_W10)
S1_W03: has in-depth knowledge of the latest directions, issues, and research methodologies in the field of written and audiovisual translation and knows where the most important research centers in Translation Studies are located in Europe and worldwide (K_W05, K_W07, K_W11)
S1_W04: has in-depth knowledge of fundamental problems of translation as an interlingual and intercultural phenomenon (K_W01, _W02, K_W10)
S1_W05: has in-depth knowledge of the principles of intellectual property protection and copyright law in the context of written and audiovisual translation (K_W09)
S1_W06: has in-depth knowledge of the economic and legal conditions of working as a translator (K_W09, K_W13)
S1_W07: has in-depth knowledge of the translator’s working environment and the translation process (K_W09, K_W13)
S1_W08: has in-depth knowledge of the principles of various forms of entrepreneurship and of the different business models (freelance, translation agencies, etc.) on the domestic and international markets (K_W13)
SKILLS:
S1_U01: is able to apply theoretical knowledge of Translation Studies to solve complex translation problems by creatively interpreting the source text, selecting appropriate resources (e.g. specialized dictionaries, glossaries, corpora), and adequately assessing the function of the translation as well as choosing translation strategies appropriate for the target text and its audience (K_U03, K_U04)
S1_U02: is able to apply knowledge of Translation Studies by selecting appropriate tools in the translation process, including advanced information and communication technologies such as CAT tools, machine translation, and post-editing (K_U03, K_U04, K_U07, K_U09, K_U10, K_U11, K_U13)
S1_U05: is able to communicate, in a clear manner understandable also to non-specialists, on translation-related issues with clients, institutions, and recipients of translations, and to appropriately justify the decisions taken and translation strategies applied (K_U07, K_U08, K_U09)
S1_U06: is able to engage in discussion on translation understood both as a process and as a product, taking into account different perspectives and the latest findings in translation research (K_U03, K_U07, K_U08, K_U09, K_U11)
S1_U08: is able to independently plan and pursue lifelong learning thanks to knowledge of various translation-related institutions and to awareness of the sources that can be used to enhance one’s translation competences (K_U11, K_U13)
SOCIO-CULTURAL COMPETENCE:
S1_K01: readiness to critically evaluate source texts and their translations (K_K01, K_K05, K_K06)
S1_K02: readiness to recognize the importance of theoretical knowledge, including translation-related knowledge, in solving translation problems (K_K01, K_K02, K_K05)
S1_K03: readiness to critically assess research in the field of Translation Studies, in particular studies published in academic journals and monographs as well as in popular science sources (K_K01, K_K05)
S1_K04: readiness to inspire and organize activities aimed at improving media accessibility for people with disabilities through the creation and promotion of audio description, interlingual subtitles, subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing, and sign language interpreting (K_K02, K_K03, K_K04)
S1_K05: readiness to join organizations bringing together translators and to undertake activities aimed at promoting the profession of written and audiovisual translator in society (K_K03, K_K04, K_K05)
S1_K06: readiness to initiate and conduct translation research, in particular with a view to improving the quality, role, and accessibility of translation in society (K_K02, K_K05, K_K06)
S1_K07: readiness to responsibly assume the professional role of a translator of written and audiovisual texts, taking into account changing social and market needs (K_K02, K_K03, K_K04)
S1_K09: readiness to take an active part in the translation process at every stage (K_K02, K_K04, K_K06)
S1_K10: readiness to think and act in an entrepreneurial manner within translation projects, as well as in individual activity on the domestic and international translation markets (K_K04)
Assessment criteria
Continuous assessment (homework, presentation on SDH recipients, active participation, attendance) and the final project.
Retakes: conditions remain the same.
Grading scale:
60% - 67% 3
68% - 75% 3+
76% - 83% 4
84% - 90% 4+
91% - 97% 5
98% - 100% 5!
Two absences are allowed. Students with more than two absences are required to consult the tutor asking for make-up material. Missing more than 50% of the class may constitute the basis for failing the class in view of the Study Regulations.
Bibliography
Main resources:
Künstler, Izabela & Urszula Butkiewicz (2012) Napisy dla osób niesłyszących i słabosłyszących - zasady tworzenia. http:// USOSweb: Szczegóły przedmiotu: 3200-M1-NDN-D, w cyklu: , jednostka dawcy: , grupa przedm.: Strona 2 z 4 30.01.2026 11:57kulturabezbarier.org/container/Publikacja/Napisy%20dla%20nieslyszacych%20%20-%20zasady%20tworzenia%20-%202014.pdf
Neves, Joselia (2008) 10 fallacies about Subtitling for the d/Deaf and the hard of hearing. Journal of Specialised Translation. http:// www.jostrans.org/issue10/art_neves.php http://serwistlumacza.com/lektury/napisy-dla-nieslyszacych/
Szarkowska, A. (2020). Subtitling for the deaf and the hard of hearing. In Ł. Bogucki & M. Deckert (Eds.), Handbook of Audiovisual Translation and Media Accessibility: Palgrave.
Szarkowska, A., Laskowska, M. (2014). „Jakie powinny być napisy?” Raport z badania preferencji widzów dotyczących napisów telewizyjnych. Instytut Lingwistyki Stosowanej UW: Warszawa http://avt.ils.uw.edu.pl/files/2014/09/Wyniki-ankiety-o-napisach_Polska_FINAL.pdf
Additional resources:
BBC Subtitle Guidelines (2017) http://bbc.github.io/subtitle-guidelines/
Downey, G. J. (2008). Closed captioning: subtitling, stenography, and the digital convergence of text with television. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.
Künstler, I. (2008). Napisy dla niesłyszących - problemy i wyzwania. Przekladaniec, 20, 115-124.
Matamala, A., & Orero, P. (2010). Listening to subtitles: subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing. Bern: Peter Lang.
Neves, J. (2009). Interlingual subtitling for deaf and hard of hearing. In J. Díaz Cintas & G. Anderman (Eds.), Audiovisual translation. Language transfer on screen (pp. 151-169). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Neves, J. (2018). Subtitling for deaf and hard of hearing audiences. In L. Pérez-González (Ed.), The Routledge Handbook of Audiovisual Translation (pp. 82-95). Ofcom. (2005). Subtitling - an Issue of Speed? London: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/16119/subt.pdf
Robson, G. D. (2004). The Closed Captioning Handbook. Burlington: Focal Press.
Romero-Fresco, P. (2018). Reception studies in live and pre-recorded subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing. In E. Di Giovanni & Y. Gambier (Eds.), Reception Studies and Audiovisual Translation (pp. 199-223). Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins.
Szarkowska, A., Krejtz, I., Kłyszejko, Z., & Wieczorek, A. (2011). Verbatim, standard, or edited? Reading patterns of different captioning styles among deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing viewers. American Annals of the Deaf, 156(4), 363-378.
Szarkowska, A., Żbikowska, J., & Krejtz, I. (2013). Subtitling for the deaf and hard of hearing in multilingual films. International Journal of Multilingualism, 10(3), 292-312. doi:10.1080/14790718.2013.766195
Zdenek, S. (2015). Reading Sounds: Closed-Captioned Media and Popular Culture. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: